WebQuests offer parents a way to integrate technology into various subject areas, through carefully engineered Internet exploration (a Quest on the Web, so to speak). A well designed WebQuest follows a very particular pattern which encourages the use of critical thinking skills and processes.
The Introduction: All webquests frame a concept or group of related concepts in an introduction addressed to the learner or group of learners. For example, a quest designed to explore fractional parts of a whole might tell the learner that they will help a pizza parlor worker figure out how to slice a pizza so there are a certain number of slices.
The Task: This portion of the webquest explains what the final product of the quest will be. In some cases, a quest may require the learner to produce a slideshow presentation or a display board showcasing their newly acquired knowledge.
The Process: This section of the webquest gives very specific information to the learner. Websites are carefully selected for their content, and questions are asked of the learner based upon that content. For example, the learner may be asked to name 4 different ways to divide a circle into fractional parts. A link to a website giving information that will help them answer that question will be listed in this section. All the websites and questions in this section will build toward the final product .
Evaluation: This section is the most customizable. While most webquests will come with a way for parents to evaluate the final project (such as a rubric or grading chart), the evaluation method may be changed to fit specific learning needs. If your family does not use a strict grading system, grading charts may be used to simply provide feedback to the learner. In other words, comments may be given instead of grades so that the learner knows what was done well, and what might have needed more work.
In short, Webquests allow learners to safely use the Internet to independently gather information and apply it in some tangible form. Using them as a teaching method is advantageous in that it encourages learners to use their critical thinking skills and exercise their independent learning muscles. Enjoy this quest and others published by Brodie Education Consulting, and let us know if there are other topics you’d like to see as WebQuests.
Happy Exploring!!
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